Name: Molly Niedens Content Area: Science Grade: 8

Differentiation Strategy: Cubing Cubing is designed to help students think about a

topic or idea in different ways. A cube has six sides, or faces. Each side prompts a
different question or task. Each of these prompts or tasks is created with consideration
of the six levels of Blooms Taxonomy. Therefore, each side of the cube uses a different
level of Blooms Taxonomy. Teacher will create two to three cubes at various levels of
readiness, interest or learning profile and break students into small groups or partners.
Each of the various cubes is a different color. Each student rolls the cube 2-4 times
depending on the concepts/questions. Students can opt out of a side one time if they
do not want to answer or discuss that concept. Students may only opt out one time.
Periodically, the color-coding of the cubes need to change so students do not get
labeled as a lower ability student. One key advantage to the cubing strategy is
incorporating higher level thinking skills into lessons. It is also a great activity for
kinesthetic learners.

Cubes can be differentiated by readiness, interest or learning profile. For my classroom,
I will arrange my cubing groups and different cubes by readiness (low, medium, high).
For my academic classes, all three levels would be used. For my PreAP classes, the
medium and high levels would most likely be the only cubes utilized. I plan to use this
activity as a review prior to the STARR test in April. Students learn about different types
of energy and resources in 6
th
and 7
th
grade. This activity will provide a quick review of
concepts before a major standardized test.
Purpose/Focus of Lesson (the big idea): In this lesson students will explore and recall
information on many different types of energy and resources.
Instruction Grouping:
Individual
Whole Group
Small Group
Peer Partners
Homogeneous
Heterogeneous

What will be differentiated:
Content
Process
Product
Learner Elements Involved:
Readiness
Interest
Learning Profile

As a result of this lesson what you hope your students will:

Students will Know: energy sources, pollutants and non-renewable/renewable

Students will Understand: how important energy and resources are to humans in daily
life.

Students will be able to: compare and contrast different energy sources.

Pre-assessment: Prior to the cubing activity, I will give students a warm-up quiz that
will be located on the Smart Board as they enter the classroom. We will grade the
quizzes as a class and then divide into three groups. I will put students into these
groups so they are not aware of the organization of the groups.
Resources/References:
http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/cube.html

http://2differentiate.pbworks.com/w/page/860043/Cubing

Matt and Melanies handout (C&T 803 Summer 2014)

Carol Ann Tomlinson How to Differentiate Instruction in Mixed-Ability Classrooms
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